Waves break against tattered rocks, their rhythmic roars echoing like a heartbeat against the sand. Each swell captures a fleeting moment before retreating– leaving behind a mosaic of seaweed, shells, and driftwood, treasures scattered from the ocean’s depths. Sunlight dances upon iridescent waters, shimmering flashes spinning tales too ancient to recount. Children squeal with delight across the once-quiet shorelines, collecting what the tide offers, unaware of the stories woven in each fragment, of the life that ebbs and flows beyond their fingertips.

Gulls wheel overhead, sharp cries punctuating against the salt-kissed air. They dive and swoop tirelessly, searching for sustenance in the tumultuous depths, gliding effortlessly with the wind. Amid this lively theatre, a fragile ecosystem thrives. Starfish cling to rocks, their vibrant colors a testament to survival. Anemones wave tentatively beneath the tumbled surface, beckoning curious fingers, but their fragility tells another story – one of resilience balanced on a knife’s edge.

Yet, scattered along the shore, remnants of humanity tell a harsher tale. Plastic bottle caps, discarded nets, and forgotten toys form scars on this sublime canvas, remnants of a careless oversight. Each piece shifts in the tides, whispers thrust into the echo of forgotten tides, pulling life down with them. One by one, fragile ecosystems sink where humanity’s pollution touches. A subtle cry to respect the locals right before our eyes.

This was written by our contributing writer, Claire Kroening.